U.S. patent application number 13/517167 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-11 for battery ejection system for a portable computer.
Invention is credited to Kimbo Chen, Kevin Massaro.
Application Number | 20120257350 13/517167 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44861836 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120257350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Kimbo ; et
al. |
October 11, 2012 |
BATTERY EJECTION SYSTEM FOR A PORTABLE COMPUTER
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a battery ejection
system for a portable computer. According to one embodiment, the
system includes at least one foot pad formed on an underside of the
portable computer and a battery unit configured to releasably
attach to the portable computer. Furthermore, the foot pad is
configured to release the battery unit from the portable
computer.
Inventors: |
Chen; Kimbo; (Taipei,
TW) ; Massaro; Kevin; (Houston, TX) |
Family ID: |
44861836 |
Appl. No.: |
13/517167 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
April 30, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/33223 |
371 Date: |
June 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/188 20130101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.55 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A battery ejection system for a portable computer, the system
comprising: at least one foot pad coupled to an underside of the
portable computer; and a battery unit configured to releasably
attach to the portable computer; wherein the at least one foot pad
is configured to release the battery unit from the portable
computer.
2. The battery ejection system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
pad is comprised of an anti-skid material.
3. The battery ejection system of claim 1, further comprising: a
battery latch and latch axis coupled to the at least one foot pad;
and a locking member coupled to the battery unit and configured to
engage with the battery latch coupled to the at least one foot
pad.
4. The battery ejection system of claim 1, wherein the battery is
released when the at least one foot pad is activated by a user.
5. The battery ejection system of claim 4, wherein activation by
the user includes rotating the at least one foot pad away from the
underside of the base housing so as to cause the latch axis to
rotate and the battery latch to disengage from the locking
member.
6. The battery ejection system of claim 1, wherein the underside of
the portable computer includes two foot pads configured to release
the battery unit from the portable computer.
7. The battery ejection system of claim 6, wherein the portable
computer includes an upper housing for providing display to a user,
and a base housing for accommodating processing components of the
portable computer; and wherein the two foot pads are formed
integral with a bottom surface of the base housing.
8. A portable computer comprising: a base housing for accommodating
processing components of the portable computer; a battery unit
releasably attached to the base housing; and at least one foot pad
positioned on an underside of the base housing and extending
perpendicularly away from the portable computer so as to lift an
underside of the base housing from a contact surface, wherein the
at least one foot pad is configured to release the battery unit
from the base housing.
9. The portable computer of claim 8, further comprising: a latch
member coupled to the at least one foot pad; and an engaging member
coupled to the battery unit and configured to engage with the latch
member coupled to the at least one foot pad.
10. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein the at least one pad
is comprised off an anti-skid material.
11. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein the battery is
released when the at least one foot pad is activated by a user.
12. The portable computer of claim 11, wherein activation by the
user includes rotating the at least one foot pad away from the
underside of the base housing so as to cause the latch member to
disengage from the engaging member.
13. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein the base housing
includes a battery cavity for insertion and removal of the battery
unit.
14. The portable computer of claim 13, wherein the underside of the
base housing includes two foot pads configured to release the
battery unit from the battery cavity of the portable computer.
15. A portable computer having a clamshell housing arrangement, the
portable computer comprising: an upper housing pivotably coupled to
a base housing having a battery cavity; wherein the upper housing
includes a display and the base housing accommodates processing
components of the portable computer; a battery unit releasably
attached to the base housing; at least one foot pad positioned on
an underside of the base housing and extending perpendicularly
therefrom so as to lift an underside of the base housing from a
contact surface; a latch member coupled to the at least one foot
pad; and an engaging member coupled to the battery and configured
to engage with the latch member such that the battery unit remains
in a fixed position within the battery cavity of the base housing,
wherein the foot pad is configured to release the battery unit from
the base housing.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Portable computers have become commonplace in today's mobile
society and have seemingly supplanted traditional desktop computers
as the preferred work and home computer. Laptop or notebook
computers, netbooks, and tablet personal computers are a few
examples of portable computers that permeate the current
marketplace. These mobile workstations typically employ a
clam-shell type design, come in a variety of sizes and features,
and often include a removable battery unit for powering the
internal electrical components. As the size and configuration of
portable computers becomes increasingly smaller, optimal placement
of the battery unit and the ejection means thereof becomes
increasingly difficult. For example, simple insertion and removal
of the battery unit from the portable computer can often be a
cumbersome and complicated task for the ordinary user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The features and advantages of the inventions as well as
additional features and advantages thereof will be more clearly
understood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of
particular embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction
with the following drawings in which:
[0003] FIGS. 1A and 1B are three-dimensional perspective views of a
portable computer according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of a
portable computer according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the
notebook computer and internal components of the battery ejection
system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] FIGS. 4A and 4B are three-dimensional cross-sectional views
of the battery ejection method according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0007] FIGS. 5A and 5B are three-dimensional cross-sectional views
of the battery ejection system according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view illustrating the removal
of the battery unit from a portable computer according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE
[0009] Certain terms are used throughout the following description
and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled
in the art will appreciate, companies may refer to a component by
different names. This document does not intend to distinguish
between components that differ in name but not function. In the
following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and
"comprising" and "e.g." are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus
should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to . .
.". The term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean either an
indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first component couples
to a second component, that connection may be through a direct
electrical connection, or through an indirect electrical connection
via other components and connections, such as an optical electrical
connection or wireless electrical connection. Furthermore, the term
"system" refers to a collection of two or more hardware and/or
software components, and may be used to refer to an electronic
device or devices, or a sub-system thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The following discussion is directed to various embodiments.
Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the
embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used,
as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In
addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following
description has broad application, and the discussion of any
embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and
not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure,
including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
[0011] Conventional battery ejection systems for notebook computers
are generally exposed outside of system for easy user
accessibility. Common implementation include slide in, flip out,
and push mechanisms that provide physical movement for ejection of
a battery pack. Accordingly, these types of latches have a tendency
to protrude or recess from its surrounding structure so as to offer
better friction for the battery pack and portable computer.
However, such a configuration undesirably counters the sleek design
intention of the manufacturer of an ultra mobile device, has
wearing issues, or is difficult to operate quickly and easily.
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention provide a battery
ejection system for a portable computing device. According to one
embodiment, the battery ejection system is incorporated into the
foot pads positioned on the bottom surface of the portable
computer. As such, the battery unit of the portable computer is
well integrated and protected, and the ejection system requires
little to no additional external pieces for the computer
manufacturer, thereby making it highly desirable and conducive to
the manufacture of an ultra thin and light mobile device.
Furthermore, such a configuration provides a better experience and
usability for the end user, and also provides a significantly
improved feature for computers employing compact designs.
[0013] Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like
numerals identify corresponding parts throughout the views, FIGS.
1A and 1B are three-dimensional perspective views of a portable
computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Portable computer 100 includes an upper housing 105 and a base
housing 110 connected to each other via a hinge 106 or other pivot
mechanism. The upper housing 102 includes electrical wiring adapted
to provide a display 107 to a user. As shown in FIG. IA, the base
housing 110 includes a top surface 113 and bottom surface or
underside area 117 that is opposite the top surface 113. According
to one embodiment, the base housing includes a battery unit 115
positioned on a rear side of the base housing near the hinge 106 or
pivot mechanism that connects the upper housing 105 and base
housing 110 of the portable computing device 100.
[0014] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an underside area or bottom
surface 117 of the base housing 110 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. As shown here, the base housing 110 includes
a battery unit 115 and two foot pads 120. Battery unit 112 includes
a battery housing that surrounds an electrical battery such as a
lithium ion battery cell, or any other removable power source for a
portable computer. According to one embodiment, foot pads 120 are
both formed integral with the base housing 110 and are configured
to selectively release the battery unit 115 from the base housing
110 of the portable computer 100. The foot pads 120 extend
perpendicularly from the bottom surface 117 of the portable
computer 100 so as to lift the portable computer when it is placed
on a contact surface for operation by a user. Furthermore, the
foots pads 120 may be formed from a anti-skid material such as a
rubber, vinyl, neoprene, matter, or similar material, so as to
prevent the portable computer 100 from sliding when the underside
area 117 is placed on the contact surface. Moreover, the battery
unit 115 may be released from the base housing 110 by activating
both foot pads 120 as will be described in further detail
below.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of a
portable computer according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown here, the bottom surface 217 of the base
housing 210 includes two foot pads 220 positioned in close
proximity to the battery unit 215, and a battery cavity 213
(indicated by dotted lines) for insertion and removal of the
battery unit 215 from the portable computer. In particular, foot
pads 220 are placed near opposite sides of the base housing 210 and
near lower corners of the battery cavity 214 of the base housing
210 so as to correspond with lower corners of the battery unit 215
along the length-wise (i.e. longest side) direction. Though foot
pads 220 are shown as rectangular in shape, foot pads 220 may be
circular, oval, or any other shape or orientation.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the
notebook computer and internal components of the battery ejection
system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
According to one embodiment, foot pad 320 is directly connected to
a latch axis 330, which extends perpendicularly away from the
battery unit 315. Latch axis 330 is coupled to a latch member 335
and battery latch 340. Furthermore, the battery latch includes a
protruding portion 337 at an end opposite the latch member 335, and
an attached spring 443 formed around the protruding portion 337 as
shown in FIG. 3. As the latch axis rotates, the latch member 335
rotates and the battery latch 340 slides so as to release the
battery unit 315 from the base housing of the portable computer as
will be explained in further detail below.
[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B are three-dimensional cross-sectional views
of the battery ejection method according to an embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 4A, the foot pad may operate as
a flip latch and upon activation, either via physical movement
(i.e. depress or flip) from a user or automatically, the foot pad
420 rotates counterclockwise along the horizontal axis of latch
axis 430. Upon such activation, the latch axis 430 may rotate
clockwise so as to cause the latch member 435 to rotate and abut
the battery latch 440 as shown in FIG. 4B. According to the
embodiment of FIG. 4B, the battery latch 440 includes a latch
engaging portion 453, while the battery unit 415 includes a locking
member 450 configured to engage with the battery latch 440. A more
detailed description of the battery latch 440 and locking member
450 will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 5A
and 5B.
[0018] Referring to embodiment depicted in FIG. 4A, when the foot
pad 420 is flipped from a closed position to an open position as
shown, the spring 443 lies in an expanded position so as to enclose
the exposed portion 437 of the battery latch 440. As the foot pad
420 and axis latch 430 further rotate, the latch member 435 presses
on the battery latch 440, which slides toward the center of the
portable computer and causes the spring 443 to contract, thus
allowing the exposed portion 437 of the battery latch 440 to
protrude from the spring 443 as shown in FIG. 4B. By the same
measure, when the foot pad 420 is rotated back to a closed
position, the spring 443 expands so as to push and maintain the
battery latch 440 and latch member 435 in the original latched and
fixed position.
[0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B are three-dimensional views of the battery
latch system according to embodiments of the present invention. As
shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the locking member 550 includes
a locking cavity 553 and an inclined edge 554, while the battery
latch 540 includes an engaging portion 543 and inclined edge 544.
When the battery unit is in a fixed and locked position with the
portable computer, the engaging portion 543 of the battery latch
540 rests within the locking cavity 553 of the locking member 550,
while the inclined edges 554 and 544 of the locking member 550 and
battery latch 540 respectively are separated from each other by a
small distance indicated by the bidirectional arrow 555.
Furthermore, and as shown in the illustration of FIG. 5B, when the
foot pad is activated for releasing the battery unit, the latch
axis 530 and latch member 535 rotate so as to cause the battery
latch 540 to move toward the center of the portable computer as
described above. More specifically, movement of the battery latch
540 causes the engaging portion 543 to move out and away (as
indicated by arrow 560) from the locking cavity 553 of the locking
structure 550, while the inclined edges 554 and 544 of the locking
member 550 and battery latch 540 respectively come into near or
actual contact with each other. In this opened and unlatched
position, the battery unit and locking member are unrestrained and
may be removed from the portable computer and base housing as
indicated by arrow 565.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view illustrating the removal
of the battery from a portable computer according to an embodiment
of the present invention. Upon unlatching or activating the at
least one foot pad 620, the battery 615 is unlatched and may be
removed from the battery cavity 618 formed in the base housing 610.
That is, the battery unit 615 may be lifted upward and away from
the base housing 610 and upper housing 605 of the portable computer
600. In the present embodiment, two foot pads 620 are formed
integral with the base housing 610 at opposite corners of the
housing cavity 619. According to one embodiment, both foot pads 620
are activated in order to remove the battery unit 615 from the
portable computer 600. However, the battery ejection system of
embodiments of the present invention may also operate with use of
only one foot pad 620.
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention provide a battery
ejection system for a portable computing device. In accordance with
at least one embodiment, the battery ejection system is integrated
with anti-skid foot pads positioned along the bottom surface of the
portable computer. Such a configuration significantly reduces the
number of parts required to manufacture a compact portable computer
and also provides a better experience and usability for the end
user.
[0022] While the invention has been described with respect to
exemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that
numerous modifications are possible. For example, although
exemplary embodiments depict a notebook computer as the portable
computer, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the
portable computer may be a netbook, a tablet personal computer, a
cell phone, or any other electronic device having a clam shell
housing arrangement.
[0023] Furthermore, though the illustrated embodiments depict the
battery unit positioned on a rear side (i.e. the side closest to
the hinge) of the base housing, the battery unit and ejection
system may be placed at any position on the portable computer that
will support the battery ejection system described herein. Thus,
although the invention has been described with respect to exemplary
embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended
to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *